The International Criminal Court (ICC) has voted to remove prosecutor Karim Khan following allegations of sexual misconduct, according to diplomatic sources. The decision, confirmed late Friday, marks the first time a sitting ICC prosecutor has been dismissed by member states.
For context: The ICC, based in The Hague, is the world’s only permanent international criminal tribunal, tasked with prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Its 125 member states elect the prosecutor, who serves a nine-year term.
Allegations and vote outcome
A majority of ICC member states supported Khan’s removal, nearly two years after sexual misconduct allegations first surfaced. The accuser, identified only as "Sarah," told CNN Khan engaged in escalating behavior, including unwanted touching and groping, and alleged he touched her intimately while she pretended to be asleep.
Khan, 56, has denied all wrongdoing. His legal team called the removal process "unlawful, procedurally unfair, and unsupported by evidence." The ICC’s oversight body had already suspended Khan from official duties, citing a United Nations investigative report and advice from a panel of judicial experts.
Political backlash and ongoing investigations
Khan’s removal comes amid intense scrutiny of his leadership, particularly his decision in 2024 to seek arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged crimes against humanity in Gaza. The move drew sharp criticism from Israel, the U.S., and some European governments.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Khan and ICC staff in 2020 over investigations into American personnel in Afghanistan. More recently, U.S. officials have signaled plans to undermine the court’s authority. Josep Borrell, former EU chief diplomat, wrote that the case against Khan appeared "part of a larger offensive against the ICC."
What happens next
Khan’s dismissal triggers an election process for a new ICC prosecutor, though a vote is not expected before 2025. The removal does not affect existing arrest warrants, including those for Netanyahu and Gallant, which can only be withdrawn by ICC judges.
Observers will watch for potential shifts in the court’s priorities under new leadership, as well as responses from Israel, the U.S., and other governments critical of Khan’s tenure.
